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Cambridge Life Competencies Framework: Introductory Guide For
Cambridge Life Competencies Framework: Introductory Guide For
Competencies
Framework
Introduction
Introductory Guide for
Teachers & Educational
Managers
Introduction to
the Cambridge Life
Competencies Framework
There have been many initiatives to address the skills and competencies our students need for the
21st century – each relating to different contexts. At Cambridge, we are responding to educators that
have asked for a way to understand how all these different approaches to life competencies relate to
English language programmes.
How can we prepare our students to succeed in a
world that is changing fast? We see the increasing need The Cambridge Life Competencies Framework sets out to have three dimensions:
to work together with people from around the world, to
think creatively and solve problems, to analyse sources BREADTH DEVELOPMENT DEPTH
more critically, to communicate our views effectively, and
Complete view of How the skills develop Enough detail to guide
to maintain a positive mindset in an increasingly complex transferable skills across stages of the teaching and assessment
world. How can we support the development of these skills? within one system learning journey in practical ways
In Cambridge, we have set out to support teachers in this
challenging area.
We have identified six life competencies, which are linked to three foundation layers of the Framework.
Damir,
Student, Angola
2 3
The Learning Journey The Cambridge Life Competencies Framework
COMPETENCIES
The competencies vary depending on the stage of the learning journey – from pre-
Creative Participating in Creating new Using newly
primary through to learners at work.
creative activities content from own created content to
Thinking
ideas or other solve problems and
resources make decisions
The exact boundaries between each stage will vary between different countries and different
contexts, as will the expectations of what learners at each stage will be able to do. This
Framework sets out to provide a useful starting point for institutions and educationalists to
use in identifying the most appropriate learning outcomes for their particular context. Collaboration Taking personal Listening Managing the Working towards
responsibility for respectfully sharing of tasks a resolution
own contribution and responding in a project related to a task
to a group task constructively
to others’
contributions
FOUNDATIONAL LAYERS
Emotional Development
Digital Literacy
Discipline Knowledge
cambridge.org/clcf
4 5
Can Do Statements
In this section, we have provided some examples of Can Do Statements which are descriptions of what
learners can be expected to do for each competency by the end of that stage of the learning journey.
These Can Do Statements will vary in their suitability for learners in different contexts, and so are
provided as a starting point in the development of a curriculum, programme or assessment system.
The Can Do Statements at each level generally assume that the learners have developed the skills at a
previous stage of learning, although this is not true of the Higher Education and At Work stages, which
are treated as being in parallel. We have a given a few examples below, but you can read a lot more in
our Competency Booklets available at cambridge.org/clcf
6 7
Life Competencies in ELT
These life competencies are already embedded into many of your English lessons.
The purpose of the Framework is to help you approach this more systematically and effectively.
Here are some examples of activities you may already be using to develop life competencies.
Unlock Listening & Speaking, Level 3, Student’s Book, page 138
Think Level 2, Student’s Book, page 103
11NEWS
SPEAKING TASK
M A K I N G TH E OBJECTIVES
FUNCTIONS: reporting what
Give a short presentation about an invention or discovery that has
changed our lives.
someone has said; expressing
feelings: anger
Understanding
GRAMMAR: reported statements; 1 Work alone. Make a list of inventions or discoveries that have changed
verb patterns: object + infinitive
PREPARE Creating new
and describing our lives.
VOCABULARY: fun; more verbs with content from
own and others’
object + infinitive; expressions
2 Choose one of the inventions Why? own ideas
with make
cultures and prepare an ideas map How? Where?
about it. Write questions
READING 4 On April Fool’s Day in many English-speaking on the diagram.
countries, people play jokes on others. Journalists
1 Tick (✓) the qualities you need to be a news are usually serious, but sometimes they play jokes,
Understanding journalist.
too. Do you have a similar day in your country?
When?
and analysing funny intelligent brave What?
confident charming talented 5 2.27 Read and listen to the article. Which photo
links between relates to each story? Write the dates of the stories
positive active cheerful Who?
ideas on the pictures to match them.
warm serious
adventurous 6 Read the article again. Which story are these 3 Work with a partner. Discuss your research questions and help each other
people talking about? answer the questions on the ideas maps.
2 SPEAKING Work in pairs. What other
Managing adjectives can you think of?
1 ‘I saw that. I think they were in the middle of making
a nature programme.’ 4 Work with a partner. Take turns to practise giving your presentation. Listening
conversations PRACTISE
3 SPEAKING Would you like to be a journalist? 2 ‘What a great way to get people interested in your respectfully
Say why or why not. product.’ 5 Give each other feedback using the questions below.
Participating and responding
3 ‘They said the mistake happened because of a bad
I’d like to be a journalist 1 Was the presentation clearly organized and interesting? constructively
Evaluating ideas, translation.’ with appropriate
because I like finding out things. 4 ‘It definitely doesn’t come from a plant. I think it’sUnderstanding 2 Was there a clear description of the invention/discovery? to others’
arguments made with flour and water.’ confidence 3 Were there examples of how the invention/discovery has changed
and options and analysing and clarity contributions
I wouldn’t like to be a journalist 5 ‘I think people believed the story because he was our lives?
because I’m not adventurous. such an intelligent person.’ links between
ideas 6 Work in small groups. Take turns to give your presentations. Discuss which
PRESENT
one of your inventions has had the biggest influence on our lives.
TASK CHECKLIST ✔
In 1957 the BBC news programme Panorama told its viewers
that Swiss farmers were enjoying a really good year for their Did you use phrases with make correctly?
spaghetti crop. They showed a film of the farmers picking the Reflecting on
pasta from their trees. Many people believed the story and and evaluating
some of them even phoned up the BBC to ask how they could Did you use passive and active forms correctly?
grow their own spaghetti tree. The date, of course, was April 1st,
own learning
or April Fool’s Day – the day when people in many countries success Did you outline the topic clearly?
across the world like to play jokes on each other.
April 1st seems to be very popular with journalists. They Did you explain clearly how something is used?
have the extremely important job of reporting the news
to us. For 364 days a year they need to be serious. But
for one day a year they allow themselves to forget this
responsibility for a few minutes and have a bit of fun trying
to fool their readers or viewers.
8 9
itical Primary
ThinkingELT Social Responsibilities
Critical Thinking Social Responsibilities
Super Minds Level 1, Student’s Book, page 67 Power Up Level 2, Student’s Book, page 13
1
4 1.19 Match the ideas with the photos. Listen and check.
Four people
do sport
three or STAGE 3
four hours
a week. Write ‘Think’ bubbles to help our planet.
Say how you can look after
our planet.
Save
Write ‘Think’ bubbles for AGE
your daily routines chart.
water! ST My
3
I turn off the tap when
diary
I clean my teeth. Activity Book
page 6
Social science 67
Learn about how to look after our planet Show what you know about looking after our planet 13
10 11
Superminds 1, CUP. Student Book p67 Power Up 2 Student Book p13
Secondary
laboration ELT
and Creative Thinking Emotional Development
Collaboration and Creative Thinking Emotional Development
Prepare Level 2, Student’s Book, page 32 Talent Level 1, Student’s Book, page 71
7
LIFE SKILLS COLLABORATION PRACTICE
4 Read, listen and watch. Which
[2.10]
REACHING 5 Complete the sentences with the highlighted words GRAMMAR GUIDE People often think that today’s teens are only interested
from the texts. the latest (late) tech devices and
in having 0 ..........................
Comparative and superlative adjectives
AGREEMENT
1 I don’t with the things my friend does in class. 1
.......................... (new) fashions. Not so, according to a
She doesn’t listen to the teacher. comparative superlative new survey. A happy home life and good friends are
2 Do you agree or with the idea of going to the 2
cinema? short adjectives .......................... (important) to British teens than money.
3 I hope you the film. smaller than the smallest Access to the internet makes their lives 3 ..........................
LIFE SKILLS 4 Can you give me some ? I don’t know what to (good) but going out with friends makes them
Reaching agreement bigger than the biggest
do. 4
easier than the easiest .......................... (happy) than using social media. A healthy
For two people to agree, you need to: 5 I’m . I can’t go to the cinema with my friends.
• listen carefully My mum and dad want me to stay at home with my lifestyle and a friendly community also make life
long adjectives 5
• give your opinions calmly and clearly little brother. .......................... (enjoyable). School is 6 .......................... (large)
6 Maybe you don’t agree. In that , you can make more expensive than the most expensive
• try to understand the other person’s part of teenagers’ lives and has a great influence on their
ideas before you decide what to do. your own plans. more satisfied than the most satisfied
happiness. Students generally feel 7 .......................... (secure)
irregular
37 6 Listen to Lola, Oscar and Daisy talking. What are they
planning? better than the best
and get 8 .......................... (high) marks in a class that is well
behaved and where the atmosphere is calm and friendly.
1 Read the sentences. Answer the questions. a They are making plans to go the cinema. worse than the worst
b They are making plans to study for their maths further / farther than the furthest / farthest
Let’s agree to disagree. exam together.
c They are making plans for a surprise party. GRAMMAR REFERENCE p. 118 WB pp. 194–195
We can find a ‘win–win’ solution.
12 13
Prepare 2, CUP. Student Book p32 Talent 1, CUP. Student Book p71
reative Thinking, Communication and
Creative Thinking, Communication
Critical Higher Education/Adult ELT
Thinking
ocial Responsibilities
and Social Responsibilities Critical Thinking
Talent Level 1, Student’s Book, page 89 Unlock Level 1, Student’s Book, page 51
Writing 8
Look at Content
An information Using priorities to evaluate options
When you write a leaflet to help people, you can
leaflet include this information: Groups of people (project teams, managers or groups of students) often need to
SKILLS
1 Look at the photo and • a title decide how to use money or other resources. This involves discussing priorities,
read the leaflet. What • an explanation of the problem
• who the leaflet is for, and a question for them to ranking criteria and evaluating different options. You can give more ‘weight’ (or
is it about?
answer significance) to the criteria which you think are more important. This can be
• several tips (pieces of advice) and reasons why especially useful when it is difficult or not obvious how to make a decision.
HOW TO BE SAFE ONLINE! • bullet points
• a final sentence to make people feel better
It’s easy to bully someone online, and lots of
teenagers suffer from this. So how can you 3 Work with a partner. Read the text about the Mah Scholarship. Imagine
make sure it doesn’t happen to you? Follow you are committee members selecting applicants. Which criteria do you
our essential advice. 4 Read the leaflet again. Does it include all of
the things from the Look at Content box? feel are the most important for receiving the Mah Scholarship? Rank them
• Don’t post contact information (address, email,
mobile number) online.
How many tips are there? from 1 to 5 (1 = most important, 5 = least important). Discuss your reasons.
• Check your privacy settings on social networks.
Make sure you know how to keep your personal ❘
information private.
• Never respond or retaliate. This can make things Get Writing
worse.
• You should block any users who send you nasty
SCHOLARSHIPS The Mah Scholarship
messages. PLAN THE MAH
The Mah Scholarship was started by Hong Kong billionaire Mah-Tak Hung,
• Think carefully about posting photos of yourself SCHOLARSHIP
online. Once your picture is online, anyone can 5 Plan a leaflet to help new students at Information the successful businessperson behind the Mah Foundation. The Mah
download, share or even change it. your school understand the rules. Use Application Scholarship pays the fees and expenses each year for one student, of any
• Don’t ignore cyberbullying or keep it secret. You the list in the Look at Content box and forms nationality, who wants to study in Hong Kong.
should ALWAYS tell someone. make notes. Application
process A committee of current students and academics evaluates the applications,
FAQs interviews candidates and decides who will receive the scholarship.
Just use your common sense and you won’t be a cybervictim! WRITE Requirements:
JOBS
6 Write your leaflet. Use your notes from • Applicants must be accepted to a course of study at a
Look at Language Exercise 5 and the language below to CONTACT US Hong Kong university.
help you. Write about 120 words. • Applicants should show that their work after finishing the
INTRODUCING A TIP
Don’t post personal information. Students who … have to … course will contribute to society.
You should block any users … If you … think carefully before / about … • Applicants must apply in writing to the Mah Foundation.
Make sure you … • If chosen, applicants must participate in an interview by
So how can you … ? phone or video.
2 Find three other ways to introduce a tip in the You should always / never …
Just remember / use … The final selection is made based on a student’s grades and test scores,
text in Exercise 1.
the quality of the written application and the student’s financial need.
3 Complete the sentences with the words in the box.
CHECK
Never should Don’t Make think
7 Can you say YES to these questions? 1 must be studying a course that contributes to society
1 Don’t • Is the information from the Look at 2 must include a good written application
Content box in your leaflet?
1 … pass on cyberbullying videos or messages about 3 must have a good interview
• Have you introduced the advice using a
other people. 4 must have good grades and test scores
variety of different expressions?
2 You … never give anyone your passwords. 5 must be in financial need
3 If someone bullies you, … carefully about changing
your user ID and profile. 4 Compare your answers with another pair. Did you rank the criteria in
4 … sure you report anything abusive you see online. the same way? Why / Why not? Change your ranking if the other pair
5 … agree to keep chats with people you don’t know
‘secret’.
convinces you that their ideas are better.
Unit 8 89
CritiCal thinking 51
14 15
Talent 1, CUP. Student Book p89 Unlock 1, CUP. Student Book p51
laboration Creative Thinking
Collaboration Creative Thinking
Unlock Level 1, Student’s Book, page 53 Empower Level 5, Student’s Book, page 129
Communication Plus
3C Student B 7C Student A
PREPARATION FOR SPEAKING a You’d like to go somewhere fun with Student A after
class. You’re not very keen on shopping unless it
means going to a shop or department store that sells
video games. It might be fun to go to a new juice
GIVING AN OPINION AND MAKING SUGGESTIONS bar that opened last week. You could also go to the
movies. Make careful suggestions and try to agree on
1 Match the sentence halves to make suggestions and give opinions. Which what you can do after class.
sentences make suggestions? Which give opinions?
b Now go back to p.39
1 I think the most a rank the proposed courses of study
important according to their contribution to society?
9C Student A
2 I think b to really focus on the applicants’ potential a Have two conversations. a Imagine what you would do with the room shown in
3 Why don’t we contribution to society. the picture. Think about:
4 What if we say that c looking at the applicants’ family situation? Conversation 1 • how you could use different parts of it (e.g. sleeping,
Tell your partner you have a surprise for them to do with
5 Have you d the least important thing is the students’ working, watching TV)
entertainment. Make them try and guess. Eventually tell • what furniture you might put in it
considered written application. them it’s free tickets for them to go and see Hamlet. If • where you could put different items (e.g. pictures, a TV,
6 I feel it’s important e factor is probably financial need. your partner looks a little disappointed, check that they a computer).
like the theatre – you’re sure they told you they did.
f academic score is the most important b Draw a rough plan of the room to show what you
factor? would do. Think how you could use:
Conversation 2 • expressions for imagining from 4b on p.87
2 2.5 Listen and check your answers. Your partner has got a surprise for you to do with a • vague phrases from 5a and 5d on p.87.
sports game. Try to find out what it is. You like going to
tennis matches and football games, but you’re not very c Show Student B your plan and tell him/her how you
keen on basketball. Try to be polite and grateful. imagine the room. Then listen to Student B and ask
AGREEING AND DISAGREEING RESPECTFULLY questions about his/her room.
perhaps none more so than those of identical twin You can hold it in your hand.
• Apologizing before disagreeing with someone’s point: You can put it …
boys born in Ohio. They were separated at birth
Sorry, but I have to disagree. I think being a doctor is a very and grew up in different families. Unknown to
You can put something in it.
You can perhaps find one in …
practical job! each other, both families named them James. It might be useful after/when …
Both boys grew up not even knowing each other,
• Saying you recognize someone’s point and then adding a but … clause: but they both became police officers and both Anti-snoring pillow
Yes, but it seems like a great way to really help people when married a woman named Linda. They both had This pillow uses a sensor to detect snoring and then
they need it. sons who one named James Alan and the other responds by vibrating. Tests show that this is efficient
named James Allan. They both got divorced and in reducing snoring. In addition, the pillow has an
then married again to women named Betty. They internal recording device which will allow you to record
both owned dogs which they named Toy. They your snoring and monitor the effectiveness of the pillow.
met for the first time after 45 years.
16 17
Unlock 1, CUP. Student Book p53 Empower 5, CUP. Student Book p129
Going forward Further Reading
ASCD [Online]. Whole school, whole Early Education. (2012). Development OECD. (2016). Global competency for
Applications of the Framework community, whole child. Available matters in the Early Years Foundation an inclusive world. Available at: https://
at: http://www.ascd.org/programs/ Stage (EYFS). Available at: http:// www.oecd.org/education/Global-
learning-and-health/wscc-model.aspx www.foundationyears.org.uk/ competency-for-an-inclusive-world.pdf
How can the Framework be used to improve English language programmes?
files/2012/03/Development-Matters-
Belfield, C., Brooks Bowden, A., Partnership for 21st Century Skills
FINAL-PRINT-AMENDED.pdf
Klapp, A., Levin, R.S., & Zander, S. (P21) [Online]. Framework for
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT (2015). The economic value of social Levy, F., & Murnane, R. J. (2004). The 21st century learning. Available
and emotional learning. Journal of new division of labor: How computers are at: http://21stcenturyskillsbook.
Benefit-Cost Analysis, 6(3), 508-544. creating the next job market. Princeton, com/resources/
Use Can Do Statements of component competencies NJ: Princeton University Press.
Bridgeland, J., Bruce, M., & Hariharan, Suto, I. (2013). 21st century skills:
at each learning stage to develop Curriculum Learning A. (2013). The missing piece: A MacIntyre, P.D. & Mercer, S. (2014). Ancient, ubiquitous, enigmatic?
Outcomes national teacher survey on how Introducing positive psychology to Research Matters: A Cambridge
social and emotional learning can SLA. Studies in Second Language Assessment Publication, 15, 2-8.
empower children and transform Learning and Teaching, 4(2), 153-172.
L E A R N I N G M AT E R I A L S Trilling, B. & Fadel, C. (2009). 21st
schools. Washington, DC: CASEL.
Maley, A. & Peachey, N. (2010). century skills: learning for life in our
Cambridge Assessment International Creativity in the English language times. San Francisco, Calif.: Josey-Bass.
Use Can Do Statements to design suitable learning Education [Online]. The Cambridge classroom. London: The British
UNICEF, (2012). Global evaluation
activities learner attributes. Available at: http:// Council. Available at: https://www.
of life skills education programmes.
www.cie.org.uk/images/271189- teachingenglish.org.uk/article/
New York: UNICEF.
the-cambridgelearner-and- creativity-english-language-classroom
TE ACHER DE VELOPMENT teacher-attributes.pdf World Health Organisation, (1999).
National Research Council. (2012).
Partners in life skills education:
Cottrell, S. (2019). The study skills Education for life and work: Developing
Conclusions from a United Nations
Develop awareness of the component skills that learners handbook (5th ed.) (Macmillan Study transferable knowledge and skills in
inter-agency meeting. Geneva: WHO.
Skills). London: Red Globe Press. the 21st century. Washington, DC:
should be developing at each stage of learning The National Academies Press.
Council of the European Union, (2018).
Council recommendation on key Next Generation. [Online].
E V A L U AT I O N competences for lifelong learning. MyWays. Available at: http://
Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/ nextgenlearning.org/myways
education/education-in-the-eu/
Develop appropriate tasks and record-keeping to council-recommendation-on-key-
monitor success in developing Life Competencies competences-for-lifelong-learning_en
Validation
Cambridge is working on the
validation of the Framework, setting Müjgan,
up a number of research projects Academic
to examine the appropriacy of the Coordinator,
proposed component competencies Turkey
and their Can Do Statements. If you
would like to get involved with these
validation projects, contact
[email protected]
Claire,
Principal Research Manager,
Cambridge University Press
18
You can find information about the other
competencies in the Cambridge Life
Competencies Framework at
cambridge.org/clcf
✓ Collaboration
✓ Communication
✓ Creative Thinking
✓ Critical Thinking
✓ Emotional Development
✓ Learning to Learn
✓ Social Responsibilities